June

Kumamoto has to be one of the best destinations in Japan for walks. The number of options available means you’ll never need to repeat the same walk — although you may discover some favorites you want to return to repeatedly. As a starting point, a few walks, in particular, stand out as the best. Shiramizu Falls Waterfalls are always beautiful, but hiking out to them is often strenuous. Shiramizu Falls is much more accessible than many others. Reach the trail by driving 30 minutes from Takamori to the Hinatamenosato campsite. The walk is just 600 kilometers. It starts out flat and then takes you up a series of steps, but these are easy to climb. After passing a few small waterfalls, you’ll reach a volcanic rock cliff, down which the main falls cascade. The entire trail is under a canopy of maple trees, making this a perfect option for escaping the summer heat and seeing the autumn leaves in the fall. Mount Kishima The Aso caldera is made up of five mountains, one of which is Mount Kishima. You can reach its peak in just over an hour, but the walk is moderately difficult due to the elevation of 225…